Mental health charities for children and young people
As well as NHS mental health services there are lots of other organisations for children and young people that provide information and services to help you manage your thoughts and feelings.
If you are a parent or carer, you can suggest some of these to your child, or get advice for yourself.
Talk to someone
Although it can feel scary or difficult to talk to someone about how you are feeling, it can help you work out what help you need and understand that you're not alone and your feelings are normal.
Charities that provide counselling and online professional support
These organisations provide support from counsellors and other people trained to support children and young people.
Childline
ChildLine provides a confidential telephone and online counselling service for anyone under 19. You can:
The Mix
The Mix provides a free confidential telephone helpline and online service for anyone under 25, which aims to find young people the best help, whatever the problem. You can:
Get help in a crisis
If you need urgent help for a mental health crisis, there are some organisations that you can turn to.
Charities that provide support in a crisis
These organisations provide support in a crisis
Papyrus
Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide) provides advice and support for young people who feel like they want to take their own life.
You can:
- call their free helpline on 0800 068 41 41 – lines are open from 9am to midnight every day
- text them on 07786 209 687 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Samaritans
Samaritans are an organisation you can ring at any time of the day or night. They'll help you and listen to how you're feeling.
You can:
- call them free and confidentially on 116 123 – line are open 24 hours a day
- email them at jo@samaritans.org
SHOUT
SHOUT provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope and anyone in crisis.
You can:
Connect with other young people
If you're struggling with mental health issues, it can help to know you're not alone and find out how other young people manage similar thoughts and feelings.
Charities that can put you in touch with other young people
These organisations provide safe ways for you to get in touch with other young people or find out more about other people's experiences.
Get information and tools to help yourself
It can be helpful to find out more about how you are feeling, and how to help manage your thoughts and feelings. You may hear this called self-management, self-help or self-care.
Support to self-manage your mental health
Find local services
There are a several online tools that can help you find services close to where you live.
Ways to find your local services
Page last reviewed: 19 July 2023
Next review due: 19 July 2026